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Defiant Australia push India into a fifth day in Chennai

Tue, Feb 26, 2013, 00:00

Cricket:Ravichandran Ashwin claimed a five-wicket haul for India but Australia ensured the first Test will enter a fifth and final day with some late defiant batting in Chennai yesterday.

Having finally bowled their hosts out for 572 on the fourth morning, Michael Clarke’s men set about chasing down a 158-run deficit but were staring at an innings defeat as Ashwin steadily made his way through the batting line-up.

However, a half century from Moises Henriques and an unbeaten last-wicket stand of 57 with Nathan Lyon saw Australia past their target and left India needing to bat again to wrap up the win.

At close of play on day four, the tourists were on 232 for nine, a lead of 40 runs, with Henriques not out on 75.

India resumed on 515 for eight and added 57 more this morning before being bowled out for 572 – a daunting lead of 192.

Henriques fittingly marked his 50 with a six as the final wicket continued to elude India and his heroics ensured Australia live to fight another day, even if the loss seems inevitable.

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